Schools Chief Puts Off Retirement
Joseph Spirito, superintendent of the Ventura Unified School District, has postponed his retirement from September until June 2001.
Spirito, 65, announced during a school board meeting Tuesday that he would retire June 30, 2001, when his contract expires.
He said he wants to see through several projects, including the first year of Foothill Technology High School and the securing of a site for a new elementary school in west Ventura.
“I’ve decided that there are so many wonderful things going on and I want to be a part of that,” he said. “And I still have a ball of energy in me.”
Spirito said he also wants to see some of Gov. Gray Davis’ initiatives put into practice.
“With the governor’s budget and the amount of money he’s going to be putting into teacher training and recruitment, it’s really an exciting time to be here,” he said.
Spirito, who was promoted from assistant superintendent to superintendent in 1992, is credited with bringing stability to the school district. He had previously announced his plans to retire by Sept. 30.
After leaving his post as superintendent, Spirito said, he plans to run for one of four City Council seats that will be up for grabs.
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